Waterville, Maine, USA
1854 - Waterville

Waterville, a flourishing post-village of Kennebec CO., Maine, on the right bank of the Kennebec river, at the Ticonic falls, (18 feet in height,) and at the northern ter minus of the Androscoggin and Kennebec railroad, 82 miles N. N. E. from Portland. The Kennebec and Penobscot railroad, now in course of construction, will connect it with Bangor, and it is also to be the terminus of the Kennebec and Portland railroad. The water-power afforded by the Ticonic falls and others in the vicinity is very great, and might easily be made available to almost any extent; only a small part of it is at present employed. There are here in operation numerous mills for grinding grain and plaster, sawing lumber, carding, &c. There are also various manufactories, principally of machinery, castings, and farming implements. An important trade is carried on with the surrounding country and through the Kennebec river, which, by means of a dam and locks at Augusta, is navigable to the foot of the falls opposite. The village contains 4 or 5 churches, 2 banks, 2 news paper offices, and about 30 stores. It is the seat of Waterville college, a flourishing institution, under the direction of the Baptists. Population of the township in 1840, 2971 ; in 1850, 3965.

A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

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